Ixxx CONJECTUKES RESPECTING THE INTERIOR. 
that there were large waters to the westward, on 
which the natives had canoes, and in which there 
were fish of great size. 
It became, therefore, a current opinion, that the 
western interior of New Holland comprehended 
an extensive basin, of which the ocean of reeds 
which had proved so formidable to Mr. Oxley, 
formed most probably the outskirts ; and it was 
generally thought that an expedition proceeding 
into the interior, would encounter marshes of 
vast extent, which would be extremely difficult to 
turn, and no less dangerous to enter. 
It remained to be proved, however, whether 
these conjectures were founded in fact. The 
chief difficulty lay in the character of the coun- 
try, and in providing the necessary means to 
ensure success. Those which were resorted to 
will be found in the succeeding chapter. Whe-. 
ther they would have been found sufficient and 
applicable had the interior been wholly under 
water, is doubtful ; and my impi’ession on this 
point induced me to make more efficient arrange- 
ments on the second expedition. 
